I have now read 13 books by Andrew Clements in about 6 months. And this is the only series of his I have read. I thought this series was good while reading through the 5 volumes but after finishing this one I really think it is an awesome series. These 5 books span 28 days and each book follows directly after the other. They really do pack a lot of action, adventure, and personal growth. If you have been following these reviews starting with Fear Itself, then We the Children, followed by The Whites of Their Eyes, and then In Harm's Way you will know that Ben was entrusted with a gold coin and made a promise to protect the Oakes School. As time has gone on, he has enlisted the help first of Jill and later Robert. With an encounter with a former janitor they start adding adults to their team. And by the beginning of this book there are 13 keeps. With some quick thinking Ben adds 7 more students to their ranks. So we have twenty keeps working against the two agents from the Glennley Group and the massive corporate threat they are up against.

Captain Oakes had left clues, 5 riddles that will each reveal something that could save the School. But with just a few days to go the Keepers are getting desperate. Ben, Jill and Robert find the 4th clue and though it is incredible, they know it is not enough to save the school at this late date. For his clues warned "Seek the final safeguard ONLY IF YOU MUST-for once it is found, our school will change forever. And the large iron key they'd found in the same place? Almost the same words were scratched into the metal: USE ONLY IF YOU MUST." But they were at the point where they must. And with an elaborate plan with many adults playing roles, and even roping in the librarian they go after the 5th and final clue right under the noses of the Gleenley goons, Mr, Lyman and Wally.The way this series build is great. They tension between our three main characters and their own personal growth is interesting to watch. Especially when set against the back drop of trying to save their historic school. And believing they have been called across time to take up the mantel of being keepers of the school.As mentioned I have read 13 of Clements books over the last 6 months and already have a few more than that in my current to be read pile. I can highly recommend him as one of the best middle grade authors currently writing books. And this series is pretty awesome. In Many ways it reads like the National Treasure movies with a trio of children thrust into the role of saving the historic and bringing what has been hidden back into the light. An awesome series!

Books by Andrew Clements:Bird AdalbertNoah and the Ark and the AnimalsSanta's Secret HelperTemple CatMother Earth's Counting BookBilly and the Bad TeacherWho Owns the CowBright Christmas: An Angel RemembersFrindle(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday BookRiff's BeBop BookReal Monsters Go for the MoldThings That Go EEK on HalloweenReal Monsters Stage FrightMusic Time, Any TimeDouble Trouble in Walla WallaWorkshopGromble's Haunted HalloweenHey Dad, Could I Borrow Your HammerThe Landry NewsLook Who's in the Thanksgiving PlayThe Mouse FamilyThe Janitor's BoyCircus Family DogThe Christmas KittenThe School StoryThings Not Seen The Jacket A Week in the WoodsSlippers at HomeNaptime for SlippersThe Report CardThe Last Holiday ConcertSlippers at SchoolSlippers Loves to RunA Million Is a Lot of DotsLunch MoneyThings Hoped ForRoom One: A Mystery or TwoNo TalkingThings That AreLost and FoundExtra CreditTroublemakerAbout AverageThe Map TrapPets to the Rescue SeriesRingo Saves the Day!Brave NormanTara and Tiree, Fearless FriendsDelores and the Big FireJake Drake SeriesJake Drake Know-It-AllJake Drake, Bully BusterJake Drake, Teacher's PetJake Drake, Class ClownBenjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School SeriesWe the ChildrenFear ItselfThe Whites of Their EyesIn Harm's WayWe Hold These TruthsReading program BooksKaren's IslandThree Wishes for BusterBill Picket: An American Original, Texas StyleHurricane AndrewHam and Eggs for JackLife in the DesertDesert TreasureInventors: Making Things Better, Steck-VaughnMilo's Great Invention